Agilent Technologies is on the leading edge in bio-analytical measurement
business providing application-focused solutions that include instruments,
software, consumables and services enabling customers to identify, quantify and
analyze the physical and biological properties of substances and products.
Agilent caters to the industry with microarrays, microfluidics, gas
chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, software and
informatics, and consumables and services. Venkatesh Valluri, President and
Country General Manager of Agilent India, elaborates on Agilent's presence in
India and the initiatives to strengthen the company's presence in the country.

Can you give an overview of the uptake
of Agilent products in the life sciences segment in India?

The mission of our LSCA business is to contribute to the
quality of life by providing measurement solutions to the life sciences and
chemical analysis industries. Agilent's LSCA Division is a leading supplier of
instruments, software, supplies and services to the life science and chemical
analysis markets. These products enable customers to identify, quantify, analyze
and test the atomic, molecular, physical and biological properties of thousands
of substances and products. Customers in the chemical, environmental,
pharmaceutical, biotech, academic and government sectors use these products
extensively.

Today, Agilent has a leadership position in the market for
these products and solutions. It continues to bring in the latest technologies
that are helping the Indian industry compete globally.

How do you intend to strengthen Agilent's
life sciences division in India?

Agilent is extremely committed to India and the announcement
of setting up an R&D center in Bangalore in the recent past is the testimony
to our commitment. This decision to initiate R&D activities in the country
reflects our confidence in the talent pool and growth opportunities here. We
will continue to focus on providing cutting-edge technology services to our
customers and partners. The Bangalore center will complement other global
Agilent development teams and will work towards innovations that
are applicable to both India and global markets.

Will there be any specific product
launches for the Indian life science market this year?

Agilent will continue to bring in state-of-the-art technology
into India. Our recent launches in the Mass spectrometry area which included QQQ
(triple Quad) and QTOF LS/MS systems are a demonstration of this focus. We will
continue to bring in new technologies and products that would enable the growth
of the Indian industry.

How do you plan to increase your
customer support services in India?

India is one of the fastest growing markets for Agilent and
we will be taking all steps to strengthen its leadership position in the Indian
market. Our recent investment to set up a world class Center of Excellence (CoE)
in Bangalore is a testimony to this fact. Today, we have presence in all major
metros of India. We will continue to expand our presence in the next tier cities
where the biotech, pharma and the chemical analysis industries are present. Our
expansion plans are essentially geared towards providing world-class service and
support to our customers. We will continue to demonstrate the new technologies
that are being worked upon by Agilent to our customers and partners.

Recently, Agilent opened its China
headquarter campus. Are there any similar plans for India?

Agilent in India is in the process of building a campus near
Manesar in Haryana. Spread over 10 acres, this will be one of Agilent's
largest campuses worldwide. With operations in India now having reached a
critical mass, investing in a state-of-the-art campus was the next logical step.
In keeping with our strong commitment to India, the campus will house employees
involved in research and development, engineering support and financial services
for Agilent entities worldwide.

How do you plan to increase the
distribution of your products and services in India?

Agilent is a high technology company providing high-end
solutions to our customers. It is important that the products we sell are well
supported. Our attempt to expand and serve the large Indian market depends on
qualified personnel and a robust service and support structure.

Our strategy for expansion is based on the simple premise
that we continue to provide world-class technology and support. To do this we
will continue to invest in training our workforce, channels and customers. The
geographical reach is also important and therefore we would expand our presence
to the next tier cities in the coming months.